[AccessD] Virtual Box Problem

Dear Lists:
 
I posted about this already but maybe I can make the problem clearer (as I
have spent a few more hours futzing around to no avail).
 
I got Oracle VM Virtual Box quite a while ago to play with but had no
application at the time - just wanted to see what it was all about.
 
I set up a Windows XP VM, cloned it and set up an Office 2007 VM.  It had no
problem establishing a network connection and sharing the host HD.
 
Now I need to set up a W7 VM (or Vista) with Office 2010 and Office 2013.
Problem is when I create a VM and install Vista or W7, there's no network
connection.  I'm pretty sure the VM has the adapter configured correctly -
looks the same as the Devices dialog box on the XP VM.  And I installed
Guest Additions but I think that's to no avail if I haven't got a network
connecting.
 
But the OS (both Vista and W7) says no networks are available and I need to
install driver software for my Ethernet controller.  I'm stumped.  
 
Without a network connection I can't get to my host C drive, and of course,
not to the internets for updates, etc.
 
Any ideas on how to get these bad boys in the air?
 
MMTIA
 
Rocky